FALL 2012
Political Endorsements Enclosed
2013 is Here Now for Local 226,
as we fight with many companies for money, to keep our health & pension benefits strong t was June 2009 and Culinary workers were due an economic increase to be used for benefits and wages. However, the Las Vegas economy had soured and the companies came to the Union asking for economic relief. A vote was held among workers and they overwhelmingly agreed to let the companies pay the portion to be used for wage increases over 3 years. Everyone has received the proper wage increases that were due in 2009.
I
The union in exchange for the deferral asked for something from the companies too. The companies had to agree to extend the contract fo 1-year until June 1, 2013, pay the amount needed to maintain our Health Plan and Pension Plan, extend recall rights to laid-off workers to 2-years rather than 1-year and agree to an economic reopener in 2012 with the right to strike. Organizing committee members made up of workers asked for a meager 15¢ per hour at the economic reopener to keep our Health Benefits, one of the best in the country, free from paycheck deductions and free dependent coverage and to keep our pension benefit strong. (The Culinary pension is one of only a few pension benefits in the country that has not had to reduce benefits for existing or future retirees). At the time of this writing only two big companies, Caesars and MGM, plus the airport vendors and Stratosphere have agreed to the 15¢ per hour increase. These companies represent a little over 75% of the membership. The remaining 25% have not yet agreed. Hopefully more will come up with the 15¢ by the time you get this newsletter, although many of the companies are having a hard time keeping their doors open for business. Whatever happens will be up to the workers but we’ll keep you posted. Flash the following companies have signed on for the 15¢ increase ZERO!!! Our chief negotiator D. Taylor has reminded the companies that their workers have been more than generous to them during this poor business climate but will certainly be looking for a wage increase in 2013. The contract expires June 1st 2013, which is just around the corner, negotiations start now! We need to be strong to make progress and maintain our standard of living.